[Variable]

Hi all, I have medical condition which limits my extremities strength. I am looking for some advice in a new CCW gun.

Currently my CCW is a Jframe Mod 60 3". I'm looking to moving to an auto-loader if I can as I want more then what a wheelgun can offer. I'll only go revolver if theres no alterative!

Some auto's Ive shot that work but DONT want for CCW are: Walther P22, Hi-Point .380, HiPower 9mm (couldn't manipulate the slide well enough on the HP).

I wouldn't mind using a Glock if they weren't so limp-wristing-prone. I have tried two G19's, two G17's, all of which would give me malfunctions!

Can anyone recommend any 9mm auto-loader that is not as prone to limp-wristing?

Some things that I would like but not quite necessary are:
A rail for a weapon mounted light.
Night sight'able
Capacity of 10 or more.

Thanks!

[Sylvan-Forge]

Not 10 rounds, but 8+1 ...
Heckler & Koch P7 is the best I can think of.

Good luck in your search.

[Majic]

I really don't think the Glocks are any more prone to limp wristing than any other make on the market.

[Trebor]

A couple of thoughts:

Any semi-auto is going to be prone to limp wristing if you don't hold it firmly and with a strong/stiff arm. I'm not familiar with your particular medical condition, but you might need to consider sticking with a revolver. Six shots that WORK are better than one shot followed by a jam if you really don't have the arm strength to operate a sem-auto. You'll have to decide that for yourself in the end though.

Here's some gun suggestions:

CZ-PCR - Alloy frame, with rails, mid size and 13 shot capacity

Sig 228 - Alloy frame, mid size, 13 rounds. No rails.

Sig 229 - Alloy frame, mid size, slightly heavier than 228 due to beefier slide. I believe there is a rail version.

Glock 19 or 26 - Mid size or subcompact Glocks in 9mm

Springfield XD - Another plastic gun. Has rails.

Browning High Power - I know you said it was difficult to work the slide. The stock 32 pound mainspring can be replaced with a 26 pound spring though. That would make it much easier to rack the slide. Something to consider if you liked the High Power, other than racking the slide.


Kahr P9 - 8 Rounds and plastic. Lighter for carry.

There's a lot of other guns out there. Try as many as you can and see what works for you. This should give a list to start with though.

[XLMiguel]

Contact Preacherman (he's one of the moderators here)- IIRC, he as a bit of experience training handicapped folks with firearms. Good luck & stay safe.

[perpster]

Glocks require the least manual dexterity--no external safeties to fiddle with. If your finger's on the trigger it's depressing the one external safety.

You can get a very light trigger pull on a Glock, 3 or 5 lbs IIRC--almost like firing your S&W 60 single action (cocked).

Glock 26 holds 10+1 9mm IIRC.

Not sure if the 26 comes with a light rail (I don't think they do), but tritium night sights are available from factory or aftermarket.

The Glock 19 is just slightly longer and taller than the G26 (about 1/4" each measurement) and does have light rail (& night sights avail). Can be CCW, though it is pushing it a bit.

I don't think limp wristing would be a problem IMHO.

Glocks are very reliable and built to last. Weigh very little. Other than the slide, the loaded magazine weights more than the rest of the gun and sits in the palm of your hand.

Good Luck!

[CAS700850]

Does Beretta still offer the .380 with the tip-up barrel? If hand strength is difficult in terms of slide manipulation, this may be as good as it gets. Plus, it offers a "coked and locked" safety if I recall correctly, which could further help if strength is a real issue.

[One of Many]

The Beretta tip up .380 is no longer in their catalog, but you may be able to find one that has not yet been sold, or find a used one.

I don't think that they had much of a market for that model, so they dropped it.

[aggie]

Howdy Variable,

Having deformed hands, wrists and forearms has led me to similar conclusions about Glocks and anything 9mm and above. I carry anything I can starting with 380ACP & down. 38 Special in +P works also. I've sampled 357s & - No thanks!

I've learned a couple of lessons - the hard, expensive way.
Limp wristing goes with the territory at 9mm & above - in my case
380 ACP is great, though I am slow operating the slide
I shoot my 4" 38 K-frame the best!
My 2" 38 5-shot snubbie works great, too.
I shoot 38 +P in 357 framed revolvers for the extra mass. It helps me control the gun better during recoil.
The same thing applies to the semi- in my opinion. While I enjoyed my Glock & it functioned reliably, for everyone else!, I just couldn't get over the limp-wrist problem with it and other 9s. A Beretta 92 stove-piped less frequently than my Glock. The only significant change, IMHO, was the mass of the gun.


FWIW: The 380 is a USED Beretta 84B with 13-round mag carried strong side in IWB or OWB (depends on exactly how tight the pants are on that day!). The model 86 tip-up has 6-8 rnd mags, IIRC. The revolvers are carried IWB until I get OWB holsters for them too.

One last comment FWIW: I shoot IDPA with a very competitive group every time the budget allows. I've learned a lot and staked out my claim as the SLOWEST shooter in the group! They don't cut me any slack & made me feel like one of them from the first. Considering my appearance, that surprised me greatly.

[perpster]

Aggie,

Welcome to THR and you have my respect for shooting despite your situation.

Perp

[aggie]

Thanks for the welcome. That was my 1st post here. Usually frequent/lurk over at GlockTalk.com. I guess I'll be excommunicated since I sold my G19 last month! hehe

My parents treated me like a regular kid. That included letting me get my feelings really hurt with rejection. They warned me, but did not prevent me from doing stupid things. One must learn, it seems. :D

Dad taught me to shoot when I was 8-10 with a BB gun. Hey, that's what all the other small-south-Texas-town kids were doing then. I had to learn to defend myself, didn't I? Got my 1st .22 at 12 - over my mother's objections. Stealth and craft, and her own brother's quiet donation, won out. Somehow I don't think she ever forgave him!

I shot long arms until I was 21 when I purchased my 1st handgun, a S&W Mod 10(?) M&P. Have kept at least one handgun around almost continuously since then. I was about 20-21 before I developed suffient strenght in my arms to support, steady and successfully fire my dad's .30-'06 Remington. That'll give you and idea of what some kids face in the shooting sports. Adaptive devices? What the ^$%^% are those? :banghead:

Perhaps Variable & I think alike. Now well past my half-century mark, I'm kinda "out there" about my visible, and invisible, "challenges." His may not be so obvious I applaud him for 1) asking for help and 2) going public with his request. That's kinda hard to do, sometimes.

'Nuff rambling. Good luck and be safe. God bless ya'll !

[perpster]

Aggie,

My son is 12 and legally blind. We've treated him the same way your parents treated you about it. I've got him shooting a pellet rifle and he can't wait for scout camp to shoot a .22. He's the oldest of my 3 kids and it's kind of hard on him when his younger siblings shoot better than he does. I'm looking into red dot scopes or lasers to help him with the visual issues, but other than that, he's got to stand his ground like any other kid. He may have to work a bit harder at things but he's adapted pretty well.

[RyanM]

Might want to try a Glock with a reduced power recoil spring, either on the factory guide rod, or an aftermarket captured rod. Glocks are probably the best bet if you have limited hand/arm strength.

Browning High Powers and 1911s and whatnot are all well and good, until you have to take them apart for cleaning. Then you've got about a six million pound loose recoil spring to wrestle with.

[Ala Dan]

I'll second my friend Trebor's suggestion of a SIG P228~!:) A
mighty fine weapon, in deed. 100% reliable, accurate, an very easy
to field strip for cleaning.:D

[KONY]

Having similar issues with hand strength, I have found that Berettas, Tauri (including 24/7) & Ruger have the easiest slides to manipulate. Moreover, because tap, rack, bang is slower for me, I now require that any gun I carry allows for second-strike capability. Unfortunately, this means that I must pass over Glocks, XD's, Steyrs and similar striker-fired pistols. Fortunately, this feature is found in all wheelguns and an increasing number of pistols. :cool:

[aggie]

Howdy Variable,

Another thought on semi-autos. Do not be afraid to try an alternative grip when cycling the slide.

Ex: In my case, the left hand has only two fingers that are fully functional and they're relatively weak, at that. That means racking the slide in anything like the "normal" manner is a NO GO. I'll try to describe, brieflly, what works for me.

Brief preliminary background info:

No thumbs on either hand
The left/weak side has only two "good" fingers mounted on a short forearm & deformed/clubbed wrist. No appreciable gripping stringth in this hand unless I can wrap my whole hand around an object.
Right/strong side has four "good" fingers mounted on a "almost normal" forearm and more functional deformed/clubbed wrist
Right/strong hand consists of index finger having grown slightly bent to serve as an opposable thumb. Gripping strength on this hand is greatest when I use my knuckles instead of fingertips. Still insufficient to grasp a slide for retraction.





I grasp the grip in my left hand and capture the gun against my belly (full and "properly" padded!)
The gun is pointing to my left, so I change (or have already changed!) my stance to point the gun down-range
I grasp the front of the slide between my index & forefinger knuckles. I am close but not directly in front of the muzzle. At this point, a ND should not be disasterous, just painful.
Gripping the gun grip tightly against the belly with my left hand, I use my right index and forefinger knuckles to retract the slide all the way to the rear - slide stop or slide catch.



If you're interested, perhaps I can get SHE-WHO-MUST-BE-OBEYED to take some photos & we'll forward them. They oughta be good for at least a couple of chuckles! :neener:

FWIW: So far, I have found the Berettas, with the contoured portion of the front slide, give me the best as-is gripping surface. I've used A-Grip successfully for grips but it, and sandpaper/skateboard tape, etc., does not suffice for slide handling - for me.

BTW, I'll pass on to you that several range & safety officers have observed me use this procedure over a 2-3 yr period. They have not commented on it. That doesn't mean that I suggest they recommend what I do, but they never gigged me on safety grounds. Of course, they never hestitated to gig me at other times, either. :rolleyes:

Good luck!

[Riktoven]

I'm no expert, but I can say that what matter to me more than anything is self confidence. If I knew I couldn't work the slide of a particular gun, I wouldn't carry it for the confidence factor.

Seems like taking these autos apart, cleaning them, and getting them back together must be quite a chore for you aggie...that's dedication.

If I were in your boat though, I'd stick with a revolver that you never have to disassemble or work agains a recoil spring. You know you can always load it, and use it, and take confidence in that. S&W has some 7 and 8 shot revolvers if capacity is the only concern.

Dang, that brings up another question aggie, isn't loading magazines like the most exhausting thing in the world without thumbs?

[aggie]

Herr Riktoven,

"I'm no expert, but I can say that what matter to me more than anything is self confidence."

Amen to that!

"If I knew I couldn't work the slide of a particular gun, I wouldn't carry it for the confidence factor."

Another amen that one. That's why I developed the alternative method of cycling the slide. Like Variable, I decided I did not want to be limited to cylinder capacity (pre-Y2K mind-set). I could try out the slide at the gun shop. It was the recoil control problem that was frustrating. Nobody was renting guns at that time where I was. :banghead:

Any-how, my wife was patient with my expensive ways & we (the wife, guns & me) are still together. The guns have changed but not the wife. :cool:

"Dang, that brings up another question aggie, isn't loading magazines like the most exhausting thing in the world without thumbs?"

You hit it on the nail head with that last shot! It's the pits, but doable. :D

I prefer to use a standard double-stack loading tool that functions like the Glock loader. This one has a pair of "wings" on that make it particularly easy for me to use my two good left fingers to push it down while I insert the cartridge with my right. The HKS loaders are useful but tend to slip out of my hands frequently.

FWIW: My parents made SURE I learned to use BOTH hands as well as I could when I was a just a tricycle motor. I clearly remember pitching ROYAL fits about whether or not I was going to use my left hand to pick up my toys or do it the EASY way with just the right. On "certain" things, there were just no excuses permitted. Thank You LORD! If they hadn't, I might be really "crippled" today instead of just "disabled." :rolleyes: Their sacrifice to obtain the proper doctors, surgery and rehab didn't hurt much either. hehe

[mainmech48]

Have to second the Beretta 84/86 recs, even though I have some issues with a .380 where my PFB might be concerned. Modern ammo design has closed the potential effectiveness gap a good deal. You still have to put them in the right place(s), but that's true with any handgun round to some extent. Practice with generic ball is relatively inexpensive now that Eastern Euro stuff is plentiful. High-perf premium HPs from all the majors and easy to find.

The tip-up barrel feature eases administrative handling for people with low hand strength and/or arthritis considerably. Mas Ayoob and other pros have recommended it specifically for students with these concerns. They are generally quite accurate and reliable.

"Limp wristing" can be even more of a concern with a blow-back design than it is with most locked-breech weapons. There must be sufficient resistance for the mechanism to make the full cycle, or it won't feed reliably. If a firm, consisent hold is going to be a problem, I'd stick with a revolver.

As was mentioned, there are alternatives to the 5-shot "J" frame Smith or Charter that're still compact enough for everyday concealed carry. The Colt DS series gives you 6 rounds in about the same sized package, and a 2-3" K-frame with a RB isn't much bigger. One of the new 7-shot L-frame snubbies is only short step larger, and should be available with a LW frame material soon.

[CAnnoneer]

Variable,

It is difficult to narrow down the choices without more specifics on your particular condition. Still, I agree with above posters that a metal frame auto would be a good choice, because the extra mass would decrease felt recoil and help prevent malfunctions due to limpwristing. Also, if you are not set on a 9mm, a .380 would be softer and easier to shoot (albeit more expensive).

In order of preference for your case I would suggest:
1) Beretta 84 Cheetah (.380)
2) Ruger KP93 (9mm)
3) Ruger KP89 (9mm)
4) Taurus PT92 (9mm)
5) Beretta 92 (9mm)

Good luck.

[gremlin_bros]

personally i have an interarms firestar in 9mm not much on recoil small enough to wrap your hand around prety easely and is good for accuracy. you might try one i also know they made the same in a 45 acp if thats more your prefrence.

[Wesker]

Get a P2000 in 9x19mm. Up to a 13rd mag and you can limp wrist it all day without too many faliures. P7's aren't made anymore and will cost you upwards of $1300 ON SALE.

Plus, P7's suck. They get really hot really fast and it becomes unbearable after about three mags, so practicing with it's unique design would be annoying and undesirable. The P2000 is your best bet.

[buzz meeks]

This has been a fascinating thread. It occurs to me from time to time that when I most need a gun I may be suffering at least temporarily from some of the same dexterity/strength issues that the above posters describe. Perhaps I have been shot, or my arm has been injured in a fall or a collision. Maybe my hands are bloodied or wet. Suddenly that gun that functions just fine when I am hale and hearty at the range pukes when I simply cannot hold it right. The people posting on this thread have a lot to teach us. And it makes me wonder if maybe the revolver isn't best for defense?

[wbond]

I have severe arthritis. My hands are stiff, weak, sore, and one of them is held together by 4 screws. I think I'm in a good position to sympathize with your situation.

I can tell you what works for me and ones I think would work for me and possibly you.

1) Ruger SP101 .32 Mag 3" (yes I know it's a revolver, but it's dandy for me). The 28 oz gun weight is tad heavy for carry, but great to shoot.

2) Taurus .38 Spl 3" barrel (yes I know it's a revolver, but it's a dandy). There are light bullet (95 gr, 105 gr, or 110 gr JHPs), standard pressure ammos that are easy to shoot in this small gun, yet are more potent IMO than a .380 and about equal to a 9x18. The 22 oz gun weight is good for carry and shooting.

2) Bersa and Firestorm .32 ACP and .380 ACPs. Capacity varies by magazine size you get. I have a 10+1 mag for .32 ACP and a 9+1 Mag for .380. Dandy little guns. Love them. Easy to carry, easy to shoot, slide pull is easy (especially if you cock hammer first), accurate to 15 yards, carries well in my pants and especially coat pockets. All my slacks have watch pockets inside the main pocket. The watch pocket acts like a holster inside the main pocket and supports the barrel-slide and weight (23 oz) of the gun and keeps it from "printing" through my main pocket. Can't say enough good about these guns and they are inexpensive too. http://www.impactguns.com currently has Firestorm .380s on sale for $198 new. Probaly Bersas on sale too. Firestorm are better than Bersas for pocket carry because of rounded trigger guard. Also, the Firestorm is better for me and probably you because it has finger grips that help compensate for weak or sore fingers.

5) For a lot more power, the Firestorm and Bersa mini 9mm is a dandy. The larger mag is a 13+1. The normal mag is a 10+1. The price is low at $269 on sale at http://www.impactguns.com. I find the quality and performance excellent. Good accuracy to 15 yards. At 25 or 26 oz empty mag included, it's not light or heavy, its medium weight IMO. Still light enough to carry, but NOT a pants pocket gun. Coat pocket maybe. The lighter weight bullet (110 or 115 gr) standard pressure 9mm ammo doesn't kick much, but is a lot more powerful than a .380 or 9x18.

6) Kahr K9 in 9mm with stainless steel frame. 7+1 or 8+1 capacity. It weighs 25 oz (with empty 7+1 mag included). That's not light or heavy. It's easy to shoot and carry. The slide is very easy to rack. The Bersa and Firestorms (all models) have easy slides, but the Kahr is the easiest slide I've ever encountered in any caliber of gun.

I think all of the above guns would be excellent for you based on my experiences. I suggest you try each, if you can.

Also, some of the HK, Taurus, Ruger, and Browning semi-autos might be really good for you. They come highly recommended for recoil sensitive people (especially HK), though I've never tried any of these (I'd like to). I have to admit that I do NOT care for their square, bulky look, but a lot of people love them. Square and bulkly not only looks bad to me, but it's harder to conceal and carry. However, these are otherwise excellent guns.

Conclusion:

If you have small hands, I'd get the Kahr K9. If you have large hands, I'd get the Bersa-Firestorm 9mm mini. If you're hands are medium size, then either of these would be dandy, but I'd probably prefer the Kahr K9 of the two because the thinner grip will likely help you. Of course, you might prefer one of the other guns, if you try them all.

The Firestorm .380 is the best for ease of carry and shoots good too. The easiest gun to carry is the most likely to be available when needed. However, the Kahr is almost as easy to carry and is a lot more powerful.

Note that of the Kahrs, I only recommend the ones with stainless steel frames (like a K9) for handicapped shooters, not the polymer frame ones. The polymer are to light and will kick to much if you have hand probems, IMO.

P.S. - the above advice is made without consideration to the cost of the guns. If cost is an issue, then you cannot beat the Bersa and Firestorm .380s. Their mini 9mm is the next best value.

P.P.S. - I keep seeing people recommending Glocks. To each his own. I used to own a Glock 23 BEFORE I had hand problems. My experience with Glocks was that the slide was very stiff for me when my hands were healthy. Now that I have hand problems, no way would I want a Glock. Glock is a good gun, but not good for me, and probably not good for you either.

P.P.P.S. - I almost forgot about the limp wrist issue. Is that a shooting or orientatin issue? Kidding. I don't have that problem. However, maybe I don't have it because I don't go for super light weight guns. I like a bit of weight to reduce recoil. That also reduces muzzle flip, which in return reduces the limp wrist situation. Lastly, any pistol that has an accessory rail up front (such as Firestorm 9mm and maybe Bersa 9mm, CZ-P01, and others) can have a small 2 or 3 oz weight made at a machine shop or gunsmiths that is the correct shape and size to follow the contour of the underside of the gun. This relatively light weight can eliminate muzzle flip and reduce recoil because it is near the end of the barrel and has leverage adding to its inertia. Presto - no more muzzle flip or limp wrist issue. Yes, I'm a genius. I admit it.

[trickyasafox]

just thinking out loud, if tip up barrels arent your cup of tea, cant 1911's without full length guide rods have the slide manipulated by pressuring the front of the firearm? like using a table for leverage at a point where the barrel doesnt contact?

[Blammo]

New guy here. I am by far not an expert on your physical limitations. However it seems as though the less buttons and doodads you have to manipulate the better off you'll be. And having to rack the slide on an auto might be more of a problem than you realize. My humble recommendation would be Taurus revolver in 9mm with a couple of reloads in moon clips. The recoil is about that of 38 +p. And with full moon clips it will be much easier to reload. Limp wristing is'nt an issue. Good luck in your search.

[Sylvan-Forge]

Oops..
My bad. It appears that when the system stops responding, tapping the send post button a few times, logging off, and then loggin back in makes a mess..
Sorry yall :o

[Sylvan-Forge]

:eek:

[Sylvan-Forge]

deleted by oo7

[Sylvan-Forge]

If the H&K P7, Beretta 86, etc.. don't do it for ya, and ya have to go for a revo, this uns' got a rail, holds 8 rounds
of .357/.38 and is tacticool!
Behold, the S&W Model 327 TRR8 ..

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/170269a_lrg.jpg

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=45916&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

[Sylvan-Forge]

doh

[Sylvan-Forge]

:scrutiny:

[Sylvan-Forge]

deleted by oo7

[Sylvan-Forge]

Is there anyway to outright delete a post ?
:banghead:

[Sylvan-Forge]

deleted by oo7

[Sylvan-Forge]

deleted by oo7

[Draven32]

My roomate has a similar problem, and he got a Bersa Thunder .380 (same as the Firestorm) If you follow suit, load it with premium hollow points. The slide may start a little stiff, but will loosen up after 200 rounds.

[cidirkona]

+1 on the Firestorm .380

-Colin

[Draven32]

I will, however, state that if you have low hand strength that disassembling the Bersa/Firestorm .380 for cleaning- namely, removing the slide- will be difficult. My roomate has to get me to do it.

[ugaarguy]

First let me say I have no idea if this will work for you...now that that's out of the way; If memory serves me correctly a few years back I was reading about the then new CZ 100 pistols and the article talked about it having a t-bar/ catch type thing installed in the middle of the slide that supposedly was there for use in cycling the slide one handed in an emergency by leveraging this catch on the edge of a table, counter, etc. and then pushing the grip frame forward in relation to the now stationary slide. I checked the CZ USA website and indeed this catch/ t-bar/ whatever you wanna call it thingy is still present on the slides http://www.czusa.com/product_detail.php?id=44.
I agree with the earlier comments to, if possible, try out several different weapons and see what works for you. I also see no reason that a good pistolsmith or machinist couldn't make and install a catch/ slide rack assist, like the CZ100 has, onto a different pistol for you. In addition to using a table or counter edge I wonder if such a device could make a good purchase on the top seam of a jeans or other sturdy pants pocket and leverage the slide stationary while pushing the grip - I know it sounds crazy, but I thought the idea of the Emerson knives commander "wave" model opening by a small choil/ notch on the top of the blade hooking into a pocket seam and leveraging the blade open as the knife was drawn from the pocket was crazy. Crazy until I an Emerson employee, after explaining it to me, handed me one at the Blade show a few years back when they debuted and the thing worked like a champ. That gave me the crazy idea to suggest trying it with a pistol, and heck maybe you'll wanna pick up an Emerson w/ the wave opening feature for ease of use. Sorry that got long winded, but I hope it helps.

[ugaarguy]

I forgot to mention the CZ 100 does have a light/ accesory rail, I'm not sure about night sights or if its sight dovetails differ from other CZs or not, capacity is 12 + 1 in 9mm, and there are a handful listed @ $359 NIB on gunsamerica.com in either 9mm or 40 S&W from a couple dealers. Let me also say I have no personal experience with this firearm, nor any other CZ; however I thought some of the features found on this pistol might be of interest for your needs especially considering CZ's very solid reputation in the shooting community.

[Smokes]

Being a Glock lover and have tested/owned almost every model and I REALLY recomend the G26. You said you have problems with the jump or recoil -either way this can be be helped greatly by a "Springco" dual stage recoil rod and spring (or another good brand). This reduces the recoil by 40%. I also love the gun because if you want a carry- its the smallest Glock makes with a ammo capicity and with a new barrel and fullsized clip w/extended grip, you have a full sized Glock 17 ( Two in one!?) Hope this helps - Smokes

[Draven32]

I have to disagree...

A Glock, or any other lightweight pistol, is going to be high on felt recoil, which is a problem for someone with low hand strength. My roomate, who also has low hand strength problems, has fired a full-size Glock in 9mm and disliked the amount of felt recoil. A compact- i.e. even lighter- Glock would have even less weight to absorb felt recoil.

Also, any striker-fired pistol with an increased strength recoil spring will be harder to rack the slide on, and any striker-fired pistol means someone with low hand strength doesn't have the option to cock the hammer first to reduce the strength necessary to rack the slide. (I've experienced with my roomate that after a long range trip his hands get tired and he almost has to cock the hammer to work the slide) (excepting those striker-fired pistols where you can cock the striker first- anyone know of any?)

[RyanM]

Also, any striker-fired pistol with an increased strength recoil spring will be harder to rack the slide on, and any striker-fired pistol means someone with low hand strength doesn't have the option to cock the hammer first to reduce the strength necessary to rack the slide. (I've experienced with my roomate that after a long range trip his hands get tired and he almost has to cock the hammer to work the slide) (excepting those striker-fired pistols where you can cock the striker first- anyone know of any?)

Actually, in striker fired guns, the slide is usually about as easy to rack as a hammered auto with the hammer cocked. The striker only makes about a 5 pound difference, and only for about a half inch of slide movement at the most (that would be if you hold the trigger to the rear, re-set the striker so it's held all the way to the rear by the trigger, then rack again with the trigger still held).